Under the lights at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Ethan Mbappé returned from an ankle problem and helped Lille avoid a damaging home defeat. The 18-year-old won the penalty that Olivier Giroud converted after the hour, rescuing a 1-1 draw against Brest but leaving Davide Ancelotti’s side off the summit.
The move
Mbappé had missed Lille’s previous match with an ankle injury, but was back in the side for Brest’s visit. His intervention proved decisive in the second half, when he earned the spot-kick from which the experienced Giroud levelled the score.
Lille had been chasing the game since the sixth minute. Mama Baldé put Brest ahead early and the visitors protected that advantage until Giroud stepped up beyond the 60-minute mark.
The point left Lille level with Monaco in second place on every listed measure, although Monaco sat above them because they had scored more goals. Monaco were due to travel to Lorient on Sunday and could reclaim first place.
The French season around it
Paris Saint-Germain ended the day at the top after recovering to win 3-1 away at Strasbourg. The Paris side were preparing to host Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Lille’s draw gave their rivals room at the head of the Ligue 1 table.
Elsewhere, Lens continued their revival under Yannick Cahuzac. The former assistant took charge after Dino Toppmöller was replaced following a difficult opening sequence in which Lens won only once in their first five league fixtures.
Lens, also involved in the Champions League alongside PSG and Lille, have now won both league games since Cahuzac’s appointment. They followed last week’s 2-1 home victory over Lyon by defeating promoted Troyes 3-1 away, moving into seventh place.
Adrien Monfray’s own goal gave Lens the lead in the 13th minute, before Timothée Nkada equalised for Troyes on 26 minutes. Odsonne Édouard restored Lens’ advantage in first-half stoppage time and Ruben Aguilar made the result safe in the 55th minute. Troyes remain second from bottom.
Key Ligue 1 figures
- Ethan Mbappé: returned from an ankle injury and won Lille’s equalising penalty.
- Olivier Giroud: converted the penalty to secure Lille’s point against Brest.
- Mama Baldé: scored Brest’s sixth-minute opener.
- Yannick Cahuzac: has overseen two consecutive league wins since taking charge of Lens.
- Odsonne Édouard and Ruben Aguilar: scored in Lens’ away win at Troyes.
